East Side

East Side has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As per ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, the suburb of East Side's estimated population is around 3,661 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 563 people (18.2%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,098 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,649 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 5 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 943 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. East Side's 18.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both national average (9.9%) and state average. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is applying 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. Anticipating future population dynamics, an above median population growth of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is projected, with the suburb expected to expand by 621 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 15.8% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in East Side according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, East Side has recorded approximately 4 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25. This totals an estimated 24 homes. So far in FY-26, 2 approvals have been recorded. The average number of new residents per year for every home built during this period is 13.5.

Demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $317,000. In the current financial year, $5.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating limited commercial development focus. Compared to the Rest of NT, East Side records 17.0% less building activity per person.

Nationally, it places among the 8th percentile of areas assessed, meaning more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This is under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development in East Side consists of 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving its low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (64.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The estimated count of 2392 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show East Side adding 578 residents by 2041, from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

East Side has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 10thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 12 projects that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include: - Alice Springs Hospital Emergency Department Redevelopment - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia - Alice Springs Flood Mitigation Project - Melanka Accelerated Accommodation Development.

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 analysis of employment trends sees East Side performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

East Side has an educated workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 0.9%. As of September 2025, 2,849 residents are employed, with a 4.9% lower unemployment rate compared to the Rest of NT's 5.9%, and a high workforce participation rate of 96.5%.

According to Census responses, 5.2% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. The area specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.5%. Labour force levels decreased by 1.0% over the year to September 2025, with employment down by 0.9%, causing unemployment to fall slightly.

In contrast, Rest of NT saw an employment decline of 1.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase in employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to East Side's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The median taxpayer income in East Side suburb is $69,838, with an average of $78,176, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Nationally, this is high compared to Rest of NT's median income of $53,572 and average income of $63,776. As of September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% suggest the median income would be approximately $75,732 and the average would be around $84,774. The 2021 Census data ranks household, family, and personal incomes in East Side between the 79th and 92nd percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that 34.0% of the population (1,244 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the broader area where this cohort represents 33.6%. A substantial proportion of high earners (35.2%) indicates strong economic capacity in the suburb. Housing accounts for 14.2% of income, and residents rank within the 80th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

In East Side, as per the latest Census evaluation, 64.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 35.9% being semi-detached, apartments, and other types of dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NT had 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in East Side stood at 20.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.4% and rented ones at 42.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,742, higher than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in East Side was $393, compared to Non-Metro NT's $150. Nationally, East Side's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 62.9% of all households, composed of 26.6% couples with children, 23.6% couples without children, and 11.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.1%, with lone person households at 28.4% and group households comprising 8.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, smaller than the Rest of NT average of 3.1.

The educational profile of East Side exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

East Side's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 and above, 46.3% possess university qualifications, compared to 20.1% in the SA4 region and 20.1% in the Rest of NT. The area's most common university qualification is a bachelor degree (26.6%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.9%) and graduate diplomas (5.8%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 26.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications.

This includes advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (17.2%). Educational participation is high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (10.3%), secondary education (7.2%), and tertiary education (7.1%).

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

East Side has nine active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by one route, offering a total of 49 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically living 222 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode at 77%, with cycling at 11% and walking at 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 5.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages seven trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately five weekly trips per individual stop.

East Side's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

East Side residents showed positive health outcomes, according to AreaSearch's analysis conducted on 20th March 2021. Mortality rates and health conditions were broadly inline with national benchmarks, with common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover was high at approximately 58% of the total population (around 2,110 people), compared to 51.6% across Rest of NT. The most prevalent medical conditions were asthma and mental health issues, affecting 6.9% and 6.8% of residents respectively, while 75.2% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 78.4% across Rest of NT. Under-65 population demonstrated better than average health outcomes. The area had 12.8% of residents aged 65 and over (468 people), higher than the 8.3% in Rest of NT. Health outcomes among seniors were above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

East Side's population showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets, with 26.5% born overseas and 18.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in East Side, comprising 34.6%. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.6%, compared to 0.1% across Rest of NT.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (24.3%), Australian (20.4%), and Other (10.6%). There were significant differences in representation for certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 9.8%, Maori at 1.1%, and French at 0.7%.

East Side hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

East Side's median age is 34, slightly higher than Rest of NT's figure of 31 but lower than Australia's median of 38. The age profile indicates that those aged 65-74 are notably prominent at 8.8%, while the 15-24 group is relatively smaller at 9.8% compared to Rest of NT. Post-2021 Census data shows the 65-74 age group grew from 7.5% to 8.8% of the population, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 15.2% to 16.4%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort declined from 22.1% to 19.9%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.3% to 11.2%. By 2041, East Side's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to increase significantly by 109 people (27%) from 410 to 520. In contrast, the 0-4 cohort shows minimal growth of just 7% (16 people).