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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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Gunbalanya has an estimated 1,750 residents, up from 1,177 at the 2021 Census — a change of 573 people, or 48.7%. Growth has averaged 5.6% a year over five years, faster than 97% of areas nationally. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 51.0% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS population updates alongside newly validated addresses post-Census, the suburb of Gunbalanya reaches an estimated 1,750 residents as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 1,177 people recorded in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 573 people (48.7%). This updated figure stems from the 1,750 resident benchmark established by AreaSearch after reviewing the ABS ERP release from June 2025 together with 2 validated new addresses identified following the Census. Consequently, the local density stands at 3.4 persons per square kilometer, offering generous physical room per inhabitant.
With a 48.7% surge since the 2021 census, the suburb of Gunbalanya outpaced both state figures and the national average (9.5%), positioning itself among the top regional performers. Net interstate relocation served as the primary growth engine by generating approximately 51.0% of recent gains, supported concurrently by positive natural increase and overseas arrivals. Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as the base period) are utilized by AreaSearch across individual SA2 zones. For locations lacking this coverage, or when projecting beyond 2032 across all geographies, age-cohort growth rates from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 from 2022 benchmarks) are incorporated. Looking at long-term demographic trajectories, the suburb of Gunbalanya is forecast to record expansion slightly below the median for regional Australian areas, gaining 197 persons to 2041 under consolidated SA2 figures, which represents an overall gain of 11.3% throughout the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in Gunbalanya remains very subdued, recording 3 dwelling approvals annually and 15 in total across the past five years. Such restricted construction volumes are typical in non-urban localities where building demand is restrained and development pace is constrained by local capacity and requirement. Because approval volumes are so small, solitary projects can cause substantial shifts in annual percentage metrics. Building volumes in Gunbalanya sit considerably lower than in Rest of NT and fall well behind nationwide figures. Incoming dwelling construction is split between 50.0% standalone homes and 50.0% attached dwellings.
This emphasis on higher-density configurations delivers accessible pricing for downsizers, entry-level buyers, and property investors. This represents a noticeable shift from the existing housing stock (presently 91.0% houses), signaling tightening supply of developable land alongside evolving resident requirements and price considerations. Generating around 162 people per approval, the locality displays characteristics of an emerging community. Over the period through to 2041, Gunbalanya is projected to add 197 residents relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction rates correspond closely with expected population requirements, helping maintain balanced market conditions without driving excessive price pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gunbalanya
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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
Local economic and social outcomes are heavily shaped by planning programs and major capital works. AreaSearch has identified no active major projects directly impacting the immediate locality. Relevant broader regional developments include Kakadu Tourism and Infrastructure Upgrades, Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), Northern Territory Freight Rail And Logistics Capacity Improvements, and Network Optimisation Program - Rail.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Kakadu Tourism and Infrastructure Upgrades
A $216 million investment by the Australian Government to upgrade tourism infrastructure within Kakadu National Park. This includes improvements to roads, visitor facilities, and the development of a new World Heritage Interpretive Centre. The project is a key component of the transition of Jabiru to a tourism-based economy.
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.
Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production
A national program to coordinate and deploy the enabling infrastructure required to support large-scale renewable hydrogen production across Australia. Building on the 2024 National Hydrogen Strategy and the National Hydrogen Infrastructure Assessment (NHIA), the program aligns electricity transmission, water supply, transport corridors, port and storage infrastructure with Renewable Energy Zones and prospective hydrogen hubs (Bell Bay, Darwin, Eyre Peninsula, Gladstone, Latrobe Valley, Hunter Valley, Pilbara). Two key federal mechanisms underpin delivery. The Hydrogen Headstart program provides up to 4 billion AUD in long-term revenue support via production credits, with Round 2 (2 billion AUD administered by ARENA) opening for Expressions of Interest in October 2025 with EOIs closing 8 December 2025.The Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive (HPTI), legislated through the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Act 2025 which received Royal Assent on 14 February 2025, provides an uncapped refundable tax offset of 2 AUD per kilogram of eligible renewable hydrogen for up to 10 years between 1 July 2027 and 30 June 2040 for projects reaching final investment decision by 2030. The HPTI is jointly administered by the ATO and Clean Energy Regulator and requires certification under the Guarantee of Origin scheme. Round 1 of Hydrogen Headstart shortlisted six projects representing more than 3.5 GW of electrolyser capacity, with 814 million AUD ultimately awarded.
Bulk Water Supply Security
Nationwide program led by the National Water Grid Authority to improve bulk water security and reliability for non-potable and productive uses. Activities include strategic planning, science and business cases, and funding of state and territory projects such as storages, pipelines, dam upgrades, recycled water and efficiency upgrades to build drought resilience and support regional communities, industry and the environment.
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.
742 residents of Gunbalanya are employed, from a labour force of 780. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 56.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 1,373, about 78% 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
A mixed composition of blue-collar and white-collar roles characterizes Gunbalanya's labour landscape, featuring substantial participation across essential service industries, an unemployment rate of 4.9%, and an annual employment increase estimated at 10.6% via AreaSearch aggregated statistical data. In March 2026742 residents were employed, while local unemployment sat 1.0% lower than Regional NT's 5.9%, despite labour participation (56.9%) trailing Regional NT's 69.8%. Census metrics showed just 1.8% of the local workforce operating from home, though historical Covid-19 restrictions provide context for this figure. Most employed residents work within public administration & safety, education & training, or health care & social assistance.
Public administration & safety shows significant local concentration, capturing an employment share 2.1 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 10.8% of workers in Gunbalanya, lagging the 18.8% registered across Regional NT. Comparing Census resident numbers with the local working count points to a constrained volume of nearby jobs. AreaSearch's synthesis of broader ABS and SALM statistical data indicates that over the 12-month period, a 10.6% rise in jobs alongside a 10.0% expansion in the labour pool lowered local unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Regional NT saw employment increase by 2.8%, the workforce grow by 2.7%, and unemployment decline slightly. Further insight into prospective workforce needs in Gunbalanya is provided by national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. These five- and ten-year projections have been applied to local industry concentrations to model potential trajectories. While Australia-wide employment is anticipated to grow 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends fluctuate substantially across sectors. Translating these sector trends to Gunbalanya's workforce composition indicates potential employment growth of 5.4% over five years and 11.7% over ten years (calculated as a weighted baseline without integrating local demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Gunbalanya is $1,277 a week (about $66,000 a year), with median personal income at $276 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,161 a year against an average of $60,283. 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 tax records aggregation from the ATO indicates that income in the suburb of Gunbalanya for financial year 2023 trailed national figures. Taxpayers in the suburb of Gunbalanya recorded a median income of $45,161 alongside an average income of $60,283, compared against Regional NT benchmarks of $53,572 and $63,776. Factoring in Wage Price Index movement of 9.41% following financial year 2023, modeled figures reach roughly $49,411 (median) and $65,956 (average) by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household earnings at the 18th percentile ($1,277 weekly), with individual earnings sitting at the lowest percentile.
Weekly earnings of $800 - 1,499 form the largest bracket at 35.1% (614 residents), differing from the broader region where the $1,500 - 2,999 band is most common at 33.6%. While residents retain 94.6% of income after housing expenses, disposable earnings remain comparatively subdued at the 31st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Gunbalanya had 222 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 1% apartments. 0% are owned with a mortgage, 98% rented and 2% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $70 a week. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The most recent Census indicated that housing in Gunbalanya consisted of 91.1% houses and 8.9% other dwellings, whereas Regional NT recorded 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Ownership rates in Gunbalanya were low at 1.6%, with remaining properties distributed between no mortgaged properties and rented accommodations (98.4%). Typical monthly mortgage commitments were zero, while median weekly rent was $70, contrasting with Regional NT figures of $1,733 and $150. Across Australia, Gunbalanya maintains significantly lower loan repayments than the nationwide median of $1,863, alongside rent levels well under the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Gunbalanya counted 222 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 330 today, averaging 4.6 people each. 45% are couples with children, more than in 88% of areas nationally, against 18% couples without children. 14% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 83.8% of all local domestic units, broken down into couples with offspring (44.5%), childless couples (18.1%), and single-parent arrangements (20.7%). Non-family living situations represent 16.2% of households, consisting of single-person residences (13.7%) and no group households. The median household occupancy of 4.6 persons exceeds the Regional NT standard of 3.1.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
8.5% of adults in Gunbalanya hold a university qualification, including 5.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 97% of areas nationally. A further 19.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 218 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 673 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the region shows university completion rates at 8.5%, falling well short of the nationwide 30.4% benchmark. Higher education qualifications consist primarily of bachelor degrees (5.9%), followed by postgraduate degrees (1.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Meanwhile, vocational qualifications represent 23.5% of educational credentials among residents aged 15+, divided into certificates (19.7%) and advanced diplomas (3.8%). A significant 27.7% of local inhabitants are actively engaged in formal study. Primary schooling accounts for 14.7% of the community, 8.4% attend secondary schools, and 1.2% are enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
79.9% of residents in Gunbalanya report no long-term health condition. 2.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 15.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics evaluated by AreaSearch highlight notable health considerations in Gunbalanya regarding illness and mortality rates, with chronic conditions affecting both older and younger residents, while private health insurance uptake is comparatively low at approximately 51% (~886 people) versus 55.7% across Australia. Heart conditions and diabetes are the leading documented illnesses locally, diagnosed in 6.3 and 5.4% of inhabitants respectively, whereas 79.9% report having no medical ailments, outpacing the 78.4% recorded throughout Regional NT. Working-age cohorts display strong general wellness with limited chronic disease, while seniors aged 65 and over comprise 4.2% of the population (73 people) compared to 8.5% regionally, recording health ratings that surpass national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Gunbalanya is largely Australian-born, at 97.2% of residents, with 87.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (83.6%) and English (5.4%). 83.6% 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
Gunbalanya displays elevated cultural diversity, with 2.8% of inhabitants born abroad and 87.6% using a home language other than English. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 33.4% of residents. The Other religious classification represents 1.5% of the local population, compared with 5.2% across Regional NT. Examining parental heritage, Australian Aboriginal represents the principal ancestry in Gunbalanya at 83.6% of residents, substantially exceeding the 43.6% regional figure. English background accounts for 5.4% (against 14.3% across the region), and Australian ancestry comprises 2.7% (compared to 14.9% regionally). Among other backgrounds, Maori heritage stands higher locally at 1.0% (versus 0.7% regionally), alongside Welsh at 0.5% (versus 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gunbalanya is 27, younger than 99% of areas nationally. 37.4% 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
The demographic profile in Gunbalanya skews younger than Regional NT. August 2026 data from AreaSearch indicates that 40.3% of the community falls into the young to middle adult category (25 - 44) compared to 35.0% regionally, while elderly cohorts (65+) account for just 4.2% against 8.5% across Regional NT. Median age remains steady at an estimated 27 years, matching the 2021 Census, which is 4 years below the Regional NT median of 31 and younger than the national Census figure of 38. Young people and children (0 - 24) declined from 42.5% at the Census to an estimated 37.8%.
By 2041, growth is anticipated to concentrate among mature adults and early retirees (45 - 64), increasing by 116 people (38%) to 426, while the 65+ cohort will see the fastest relative rise of 46% to reach 107, contrasting with a contraction among younger demographics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Gunbalanya
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 2 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,177 at the 2021 Census → 1,750 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 Aug 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 (SAL70115). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.