Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Herbert has an estimated 1,812 residents, up from 1,610 at the 2021 Census — a change of 202 people, or 12.5%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years, faster than 78% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 63.0% of that increase. Density is about 51 people per 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader regional ABS population updates alongside new addresses verified since the Census, the suburb of Herbert reaches an estimated 1,812 residents as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 202 people (12.5%) compared to the 1,610 people recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment stems from an estimated resident population of 1,812 determined by AreaSearch after reviewing the ABS ERP release from June 2025 together with post-Census address validations. The resulting population density stands at 50 persons per square kilometer, offering residents substantial space.
Surpassing the 9.5% nationwide benchmark, the suburb of Herbert's 12.5% increase since the 2021 census positions it as a local growth standout. Natural increase served as the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 63.0% of recent population additions, while interstate migration and overseas migration also registered positive gains. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 localities (issued in 2024 using 2022 as a base year) are utilized by AreaSearch. Across SA2 areas not covered by those figures, and to model growth beyond 2032 across all districts, age-cohort growth rates from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 from 2022 data) are applied. Factoring in anticipated demographic changes, the suburb of Herbert is projected to experience population expansion just under the national median, increasing by 190 persons to 2041 under aggregated SA2 models, which equates to a 10.5% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Over the preceding five years, Herbert has seen only 1 dwelling approval. Such subdued building activity points to an established locality where opportunities for new construction are scarce. Although constrained supply tends to underpin residential property values, it likewise indicates a settled housing landscape characterized by reduced market turnover. Residential building approvals in Herbert remain substantially subdued compared to Greater Darwin, sitting 78.0% below the regional per-person benchmark. Even with an uptick in construction across recent years, restricted addition of new stock generally bolsters pricing and demand for existing houses.
Development levels also track behind the national average, highlighting market maturity alongside potential planning and land constraints. Furthermore, all recent approvals have consisted exclusively of standalone homes, preserving the neighborhood's low-density profile and catering to families seeking spacious living. A ratio of 509 people per building approval highlights this tranquil, low-volume development setting.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Herbert
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Detail
Infrastructure investment, strategic planning, and major works play a crucial role in shaping local development. AreaSearch has identified no major projects likely to impact the locality directly. Regional infrastructure initiatives include the Darwin Renewable Energy Hub, Darwin Corporate Park, Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage, and Desert Springs Octopus Renewable Energy Program, with key relevant projects outlined below.
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
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.
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.
Darwin Renewable Energy Hub
Northern Territory Government proposal to co-locate up to six utility-scale solar farms (total 180-210 MW) with a battery energy storage system on 940 ha of Crown Land west of Finn Road, feeding the Darwin-Katherine grid. Site identified for industry in regional land use plans; consultation held to February 28, 2025 and environmental assessment processes are underway.
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.
1,048 residents of Herbert are employed, from a labour force of 1,076. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 75.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% 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 1,281, about 71% 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
Statistical area aggregations compiled by AreaSearch indicate that Herbert maintains a well-distributed workforce spanning both blue and white collar roles, reinforced by prominent essential service representation, a low 2.6% unemployment rate, and steady job conditions over the past year. By March 2026, employed residents reached 1,048, the local unemployment rate sat 0.9% lower than Greater Darwin's 3.5%, and labor force participation registered at 75.5% versus 72.9% across Greater Darwin. Census records show that only 4.7% of local workers operated from home, though Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be noted.
The primary industry sectors employing local residents comprise construction, public administration & safety, as well as education & training. Construction demonstrates noticeable local concentration, with resident employment in the sector reaching 1.7 times regional rates. Conversely, health care & social assistance remains under-indexed, engaging 8.2% of local workers compared to 14.2% in Greater Darwin. Comparison between resident counts and Census working population figures indicates that this mostly residential community generates limited direct employment locally. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS and SALM metrics, the local labor pool recorded no change during the year to March 2026, while total employment contracted by 0.3%, pushing the unemployment rate up by 0.3 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Greater Darwin logged a 0.4% rise in employment and a 0.8% expansion in its labor force, accompanied by a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Future local employment demand can be contextualized using national industry projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. While nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, trajectories vary by sector. Overlaying these industry-specific national forecasts onto Herbert's workforce distribution indicates projected employment increases of 5.7% over five years and 12.0% over ten years (note that this weighted calculation is illustrative and does not incorporate localized population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Herbert is $2,765 a week (about $144,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,268 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $72,895 a year against an average of $83,765. 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
According to postcode-level ATO records released for financial year 2023 and analyzed by AreaSearch, taxpayers in the suburb of Herbert achieved a median income of $72,895 and an average income of $83,765. These figures place the area among the nation's highest-earning localities, surpassing the Greater Darwin median of $66,956 and average of $77,199. Adjusted for a 9.41% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 stand at roughly $79,754 for median earnings and $91,647 for average earnings. Census benchmarks from 2021 position local personal, family, and household earnings between the 93rd and 94th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows 31.7% of the population (574 individuals) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider region where 36.7% fall into this bracket. A notable 44.2% of households generate weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, underpinning strong consumer capacity. Even with housing costs taking up 15.3% of income, disposable earnings remain in the 94th percentile, placing the area in the 7th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Herbert had 506 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 68% are owned with a mortgage, 12% rented and 19% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $460 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,323 a month, a total housing cost higher than 94% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 16.6% 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
According to the latest Census, the housing landscape in Herbert is composed of 98.8% separate houses alongside 1.2% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached, and 'other' dwellings), contrasting with the Darwin metro mix of 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership in Herbert reached 19.3%, exceeding Darwin metro levels, while remaining residences were either being purchased under a mortgage (68.3%) or occupied by tenants (12.4%). Median housing costs are comparatively elevated, with monthly mortgage repayments of $2,323 and weekly rent payments of $460, outpacing Darwin metro benchmarks of $2,100 and $385 respectively.
Relative to national figures, Herbert's mortgage commitments significantly surpass the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents sit well above the $375 national average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Herbert counted 506 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 569 today, averaging 3.0 people each. 46% are couples with children, more than in 90% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 16% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the bulk of the community at 80.2% of all households, consisting of couples with children (45.5%), couples without children (26.6%), and single parent families (7.4%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 19.8%, with single-person households representing 15.7% and group dwellings making up 3.8%. Household occupancy averages 3.0 people per dwelling, exceeding the Greater Darwin benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.2% of adults in Herbert hold a university qualification, including 9.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.9% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 97% of areas nationally. A further 41.5% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment profiles reveal that 14.2% of local residents hold university qualifications, lagging the SA4 regional figure of 31.3% and presenting opportunities for future learning programs. Higher education credentials include bachelor degrees at 9.5%, graduate diplomas at 2.8%, and postgraduate degrees at 1.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are widespread, with 54.5% of people aged 15+ holding trade credentials, comprising certificates (41.5%) and advanced diplomas (13.0%). Student participation in formal study is strong across the community, with 33.0% of residents actively enrolled. This cohort comprises 14.0% attending primary school, 9.9% enrolled in secondary education, and 3.4% undertaking tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Herbert means driving: households keep an average of 2.2 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
79.0% of residents in Herbert report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 75% of areas nationally. 2.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch's evaluation of chronic illness prevalence and mortality indicators highlights robust overall health across Herbert, marked by minimal rates of common medical ailments across age brackets and an exceptionally high private health insurance rate encompassing approximately 60% of the population (1,083 people). Asthma and mental health conditions represent the most frequently reported health challenges, affecting 7.1 and 5.4% of residents respectively, whereas 79.0% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions, outperforming the Greater Darwin rate of 77.1%. Working-age community members display favorable health markers with low rates of chronic illness.
Residents aged 65 and over comprise 10.2% of the population (184 people), with senior health metrics ranking higher than the general population nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Herbert is largely Australian-born, at 87.9% of residents, with 4.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.0%) and English (29.5%). 5.5% 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
Cultural diversity measures indicate a relatively uniform demographic, with 87.9% of residents born in Australia, 91.2% holding Australian citizenship, and 95.5% speaking solely English in the home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, representing 40.1% of the local population. Buddhism accounts for 2.4% of residents, in comparison to 3.3% recorded across Greater Darwin. Regarding reported parental ancestry, the leading backgrounds in Herbert are Australian at 33.0% (higher than the regional benchmark of 22.6%), English at 29.5% (above the 21.7% regional rate), and Scottish at 7.6%. Other notable cultural backgrounds include Australian Aboriginal at 5.5% (compared to 7.0% regionally), Dutch at 1.5% (against 1.0%), and New Zealand at 0.8% (against 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Herbert is 38. 20.1% 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 age distribution in Herbert aligns relatively closely with Greater Darwin, showing a maximum divergence of 7.4 percentage points. The estimated median age sits at 38, matching the 2021 Census figure and exceeding the Greater Darwin median of 34 recorded in that same Census by 4 years. The proportion of residents aged 65+ has expanded from 7.5% at the Census to an estimated 10.2%. Notably, the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 17.8% to an estimated 14.8%, while the 55 to 64 group increased from 12.7% to 14.9%, without an influx of younger cohorts.
Projections to 2041 indicate that senior and retiree age groups will experience the largest expansion, adding 84 individuals (46%) to reach 269.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Herbert
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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,610 at the 2021 Census → 1,812 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 (SAL70123). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.