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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Farrar has an estimated 1,829 residents, up from 1,650 at the 2021 Census — a change of 179 people, or 10.8%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 58.0% of that increase. That puts 1,244 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on evaluation of ABS updates for the broader region and fresh addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Farrar has a population calculated at 1,829 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 179 residents (10.8%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 1,650 individuals. This variation is derived from the resident population of 1,829, computed by AreaSearch through analysing the latest ERP statistics from the ABS (June 2025) along with 3 validated new addresses registered after the Census date. The population size yields a density of 1,244 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical level of national areas analyzed by AreaSearch.
The suburb of Farrar experienced a 10.8% expansion since the 2021 census that surpassed the countrywide mark of 9.3%, placing it among the top expanding areas in the region. Demographic expansion within this territory was chiefly driven by natural increase, which generated approximately 57.99999999999999% of total population additions in recent times. AreaSearch implements ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 with 2022 as the baseline year. For any SA2 regions lacking this information, and to project development across all localities past 2032, AreaSearch utilizes growth rates by age cohort for each territory as detailed by the ABS in its most recent Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, using 2022 statistics). Looking at future demographic trends, a population rise slightly below the median of national statistical territories is projected, with the suburb of Farrar projected to add 211 persons by 2041 based on compiled SA2-level forecasts, showing an overall expansion of 11.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval statistics compiled from local area files, Farrar has averaged approximately 1 residential approval annually, totaling an estimated 6 dwellings over the prior 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 3 approvals have been registered. With an average of 13.7 new residents per year for every home built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand significantly outstrips new supply, which typically causes price growth and heightened competition among buyers. Furthermore, $17,000 in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating a mostly residential concentration.
Relative to Greater Darwin, Farrar displays significantly lower construction levels (83.0% below regional average per person). This restricted volume of new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. This is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Looking ahead, Farrar is expected to grow by 211 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Farrar
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Detail
Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects and planning initiatives. In total no projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Darwin to Palmerston Mass Transit Corridor, Hudson Creek Power Station, Marine Industry Park, and Darwin Corporate Park, with the below list detailing those likely to be of most relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Marine Industry Park
Marine and offshore industries servicing hub at East Arm, Darwin. Stage 1 planning approval is secured for a purpose-built industrial subdivision near the new Darwin Ship Lift, with expressions of interest open for serviced lots. Existing common-user facilities include an all-tide barge ramp (first point of entry) and a secure hardstand supporting storage and fabrication activities.
Enabling Digital Health Services for Regional and Remote Australia
A national digital infrastructure program under the Digital Health Blueprint 2023-2033 designed to provide equitable healthcare access for regional and remote Australians. The initiative is currently rolling out the 'Share by Default' legislative framework, which mandates the uploading of pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record starting July 2026. Current 2026 milestones include the launch of the Digital Health Implementer Hub to accelerate software conformance and the implementation of the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan to integrate allied health practitioners into the national digital ecosystem.
Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink)
SunCable's AAPowerLink is a large renewable generation, battery storage and HVDC transmission project in the Northern Territory. The project has major environmental approvals from the Northern Territory and Australian governments, conditional Singapore approval to import 1.75 GW from 2035, Indonesian subsea permits, a Singapore-Australia cross-border electricity trade framework and a 70-year Indigenous Land Use Agreement for Powell Creek. It is being staged to supply industrial customers in the Barkly region from the late 2020s, Darwin from the early 2030s, and Southeast Asia from the mid-2030s, with final investment decision targeted for 2027.
Desert Springs Octopus Renewable Energy Program
Majority Indigenous-owned developer pursuing a near-term pipeline of grid-connected solar and battery projects along the Darwin-Katherine Electricity System, with potential to expand into wind and green hydrogen. Partnership includes Octopus Australia with Larrakia Nation and Jawoyn Association to deliver utility-scale renewable energy and community benefit sharing.
National EV Charging Network (Highway Fast Charging)
Partnership between the Australian Government and NRMA to deliver a backbone EV fast charging network on national highways. Program funds and co-funds 117 DC fast charging sites at roughly 150 km intervals to connect all capital cities and regional routes, reducing range anxiety and supporting EV uptake.
Telstra InfraCo Intercity Fibre Network
Telstra InfraCo's national intercity fibre network project delivering nearly 14,000km of ultra-high capacity, low-latency fibre connecting all mainland capital cities. The $1.6 billion investment includes dual fibre paths (express and foundation routes) supporting speeds up to 80 Tbps. First route Sydney-Canberra went live June 2025, with completion of all routes by end of FY27. Supports AI, data centers, hyperscalers and next-generation digital infrastructure across Australia.
Network Optimisation Program - Roads
A national program concept focused on improving congestion and reliability on urban road networks by using low-cost operational measures and technology (e.g., signal timing, intersection treatments, incident management) to optimise existing capacity across major city corridors.
Advanced Train Management System Implementation On The Interstate Rail Network
The Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) enhances Australia's interstate freight rail network's safety, efficiency, and capacity by replacing traditional signalling with a communication-based control system.
964 residents of Farrar are employed, from a labour force of 991. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 71.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,447, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Farrar features a skilled workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of just 2.7%, and 1.0% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026964 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.7% below Greater Darwin's rate of 3.5%, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Greater Darwin's 72.7%. Based on Census responses, a low 3.7% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents comprise public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction.
On the other hand, professional & technical is under-represented, with only 2.9% of Farrar's workforce compared to 5.8% in Greater Darwin. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, over the 12 months to March 2026, employment increased by 1.0% while labour force increased by 0.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Darwin, where employment rose by 0.4%, the labour force grew by 0.8%, and unemployment rose 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Farrar. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Farrar's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.8% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Farrar is $2,573 a week (about $134,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,172 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $67,525 a year against an average of $73,471. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 reveals that income in the suburb of Farrar is above the national average, with the median assessed at $67,525 while the average income stands at $73,471. This contrasts to Greater Darwin's figures of a median income of $66,956 and an average income of $77,199. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.41% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $73,879 (median) and $80,385 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Farrar, between the 89th and 92nd percentiles nationally.
The earnings profile shows the predominant cohort spans 40.7% of locals (744 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, reflecting patterns seen the broader area where 36.7% similarly occupy this range. The substantial proportion of high earners (36.9% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout the locality. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 90th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Farrar had 495 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 79% detached houses and 3% apartments. 47% are owned with a mortgage, 43% rented and 11% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $455 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month, a total housing cost higher than 95% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 17.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Housing configuration within Farrar, as measured at the most recent Census, consisted of 78.8% detached houses and 21.2% alternative structures (including duplexes, apartments, and other housing categories), contrasting with the Darwin metro mix of 63.5% houses and 36.5% alternative structures. Meanwhile, the proportion of residents who owned their homes in Farrar trailed the Darwin metro level, standing at 10.6%, with the remaining properties occupied under a mortgage (46.9%) or rented (42.5%). The median monthly home loan payment in the locality was higher than the Darwin metro average at $2,167, whereas the median weekly rent was set at $455, compared to Darwin metro rates of $2,100 and $385.
On a national level, Farrar's mortgage payments are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rent charges are substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Farrar counted 495 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 549 today, averaging 2.9 people each. 43% are couples with children, more than in 85% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 15% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households dominate at 82.0% of all households, comprising 43.0% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 18.0%, with lone person households at 15.1% and group households comprising 4.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.9 people is larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.2% of adults in Farrar hold a university qualification, including 14.0% with a bachelor degree and 4.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 100% of areas nationally. A further 33.0% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The locality experiences hurdles in education, with tertiary qualification rates (21.2%) sitting well below the SA4 regional average of 31.3%. This situation presents both an obstacle and a chance for focused scholastic programs. Bachelor degrees represent the main qualification at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Practical and technical capabilities are highly visible, with 45.6% of inhabitants aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (33.0%). Schooling enrollment is remarkably elevated, with 35.5% of local inhabitants currently registered in structured study.
This comprises 12.1% attending primary school, 8.7% in secondary school, and 5.7% undertaking higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Farrar means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of public transit options reveals 3 functioning stops operating within Farrar, utilizing a combination of buses. These facilities are served by 5 distinct routes, which combine to support 409 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is classified as good, with commuters generally situated 278 meters away from the closest transit stop. Because this is a predominantly residential sector, most workers travel out of the area, with private vehicles staying the primary choice for 94% of trips. Car ownership averages 1.8 for each home, which exceeds the regional average. A relatively low 3.7% of workforce members perform their roles from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).
Transit service frequency averages 58 runs per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 136 weekly runs for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
73.8% of residents in Farrar report no long-term health condition. 8.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Farrar faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts , and the rate of private health cover found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~1,020 people). This compares to 57.8% across Greater Darwin. The most common medical conditions in the area were found to be asthma and mental health issues, impacting 7.7 and 6.9% of residents, respectively, while 73.8% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 77.1% across Greater Darwin.
The area has 9.1% of residents aged 65 and over (166 people), which is lower than the 11.0% in Greater Darwin. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Farrar is largely Australian-born, at 78.6% of residents, with 15.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (28.9%) and English (23.6%). 8.0% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Farrar was found to be above average in terms of cultural diversity, with 21.4% of its population born overseas and 15.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Farrar was found to be Christianity, which makes up 42.8% of people in Farrar. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Islam, which comprises 2.9% of the population, compared to 2.3% across Greater Darwin. In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Farrar are Australian, comprising 28.9% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 22.6%, English, comprising 23.6% of the population, and Other, comprising 12.1% of the population.
Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is notably overrepresented at 8.0% of Farrar (vs 7.0% regionally), Filipino at 3.2% (vs 3.8%) and Samoan at 0.3% (vs 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Farrar is 32, younger than 90% of areas nationally. 28.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
With a median age of 32, the suburb of Farrar is slightly younger than the Greater Darwin figure of 34 similarly substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Darwin, the suburb of Farrar has a higher concentration of 5 - 14 residents (15.9%) but fewer 55 - 64 year-olds (7.2%). In the period since 2021, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 16.5% to 18.5% of the population. Conversely, the 0 to 4 cohort has declined from 10.5% to 8.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in the suburb of Farrar's age structure.
The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to increase solidly, expanding by 62 people (28%) from 219 to 282. The 0 to 4 group displays more modest growth at no net change, adding no new residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Farrar
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 3 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,650 at the 2021 Census → 1,829 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL70098). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.