Karama

Karama is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Karama's population is estimated at around 5,040 people. This reflects an increase of 237 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,803 people. The current population estimate, based on AreaSearch validation and latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024), indicates a density ratio of 2,434 persons per square kilometer, placing Karama in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Karama's growth rate since the census, at 4.9%, is within 2.7 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.6%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed, with Karama expected to expand by 638 persons to reach 5,678 people by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 12.7% over the 17-year period.

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

Development activity data is being compiled for this area.

Compared to Greater Darwin, Karama records markedly lower building activity. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. This level is similarly under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

Karama has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 8thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. Two projects identified by AreaSearch are likely to affect this region: Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Berrimah North Area Plan, Darwin Corporate Park, and Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Karama shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Karama has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.4%.

As of June 2025, there were 2,559 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 3.5%, higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.0%. Workforce participation was lower at 63.5% compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Key industries of employment among residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Retail trade shows notable concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

However, public administration & safety employs only 14.5% of local workers, below Greater Darwin's 19.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. In the 12-month period ending Sep-22, employment increased by 3.4% alongside labour force growth of 2.9%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karama's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

Karama's median income among taxpayers was $53,397 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $59,528 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Greater Darwin, which were $65,522 and $75,260 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, estimates suggest Karama's median income would be approximately $59,810 and average income around $66,677 by September 2025. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Karama cluster around the 54th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 34.6% of individuals (1,743) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band. This is similar to the surrounding region where 36.7% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income in Karama, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 51st percentile nationally.

Karama is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Karama's dwellings were 77.2% houses and 22.8% other dwellings at the latest Census, compared to Darwin metro's 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karama was 19.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.8% and rented at 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, lower than Darwin metro's $2,028. Median weekly rent in Karama was $293, below Darwin metro's $350 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Karama's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,950 compared to the Australian average of $1,863.

Karama has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 73.9% of all households, including 35.0% couples with children, 19.0% couples without children, and 18.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.1%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households at 3.7%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7.

Karama faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 21.9%, significantly lower than the SA3 area average of 36.1%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 35.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (26.5%).

Educational participation is notably high at 34.5%, including 12.8% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education. Karama's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 1,189 students as of the latest data. The area has varied educational conditions with an ICSEA index of 893. Education provision is balanced with 3 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs at 23.6 places per 100 residents, compared to the regional average of 16.9, indicating that Karama serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Analysis shows 27 active public transport stops in Karama, served by buses via 45 routes. These provide 2,400 weekly passenger trips. Residents are typically 140 meters from the nearest stop.

Daily service averages 342 trips across all routes, equating to approximately 88 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Karama is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Karama shows better-than-average health results, with both younger and older age groups having low rates of common health conditions. Around half of Karama's total population (~2,539 people) has private health insurance, compared to 56.7% in Greater Darwin.

The most prevalent medical issues are asthma (7.0%) and arthritis (5.8%). About 74.7% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the 77.0% across Greater Darwin. Karama has a higher-than-average proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 12.0% (604 people). Health outcomes among these seniors are in line with the general population's health profile.

Karama is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Karama's population shows high cultural diversity, with 33.4% born overseas and 36.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Karama, accounting for 53.2%. Buddhism, while still a minority, is slightly overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin (4.7% vs 4.1%).

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (18.6%), Other (17.8%), and English (16.0%). Some ethnic groups have notable representation differences: Filipino at 6.7% (vs regional 4.7%), Australian Aboriginal at 13.7% (vs 7.4%), and Greek at 4.0% (vs 3.7%).

Karama's population is younger than the national pattern

Karama's median age is 35 years, comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 years and marginally lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Darwin, Karama has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (15.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.8%). According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 has grown from 7.3% to 8.3%, while the proportion of those aged 55-64 has declined from 12.5% to 11.8%. Demographic projections suggest significant changes in Karama's age profile by 2041. The 55-64 cohort is projected to grow by 21%, adding 126 residents to reach a total of 721. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 5-14 cohorts.