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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, as of Nov 2025, Karama's estimated population is around 5,040. This shows an increase of 237 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,803. The change reflects AreaSearch's estimate following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024) and address validation since the Census date. Karama's population density is 2,434 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Since the Census, Karama's growth rate of 4.9% is within 2.5 percentage points of its SA3 area's growth (7.4%). 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 age cohort growth rates provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate a median increase for statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, Karama is expected to expand by 638 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 12.7% over the 17 years.

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

Karama has recorded no new dwelling approvals over the past five years. This suggests that the area is largely built out with minimal vacant land for development. Established areas like Karama typically experience steady demand for existing properties due to the scarcity of new-build alternatives.

Compared to Greater Darwin, Karama shows markedly lower building activity, which usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes in such constrained new construction environments. This level is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

Karama has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Two projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting this area: Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Berrimah North Area Plan, Darwin Corporate Park, and Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade are key projects, with the following list highlighting those likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

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 6.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.8%.

As of September 2025, there were 2,478 residents employed, while the unemployment rate was 3.8%, above Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation lagged at 63.5% compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Key industries of employment among residents were public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Retail trade showed notable concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

However, public administration & safety employed only 14.5% of local workers, below Greater Darwin's 19.5%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 1.8%, alongside labour force increasing by 1.3%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. Greater Darwin recorded employment growth of 1.9% and labour force growth of 1.9%, with unemployment rising marginally. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 showed NT employment contracted by 1.13%, losing 4,100 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.4%. National employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karama's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Karama's income level is lower than average nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Karama's median income among taxpayers is $53,397 and the average income stands at $59,528, compared to Greater Darwin's figures of $66,956 and $77,199 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Karama would be approximately $57,904 (median) and $64,552 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Karama cluster around the 54th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 34.6% of the community (1,743 individuals), mirroring the surrounding region where 36.7% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 51st percentile.

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

Karama's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 77.2% houses and 22.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Darwin metro's 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karama stood at 19.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.8% and rented dwellings at 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, lower than Darwin metro's average of $2,028. Median weekly rent in Karama was recorded at $293, compared to Darwin metro's $350. Nationally, Karama's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower than the national figure of $375.

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 account for the remaining 26.1%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households comprising 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's university qualification rate is 21.9%, significantly lower than the SA3 area average of 36.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (26.5%). Educational participation is high at 34.5%, comprising 12.8% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 4.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 34.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.8% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 27 active stops operating in Karama, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by 45 individual routes, collectively providing 2,400 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 140 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 342 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 88 weekly trips per individual 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 demonstrates above-average health outcomes for both younger and older age cohorts, with low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (around 2,539 people), compared to 57.4% across Greater Darwin and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are asthma and arthritis, affecting 7.0 and 5.8% of residents respectively, while 74.7% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin.

As of 2016, 12.0% of Karama's residents are aged 65 and over (604 people). Health outcomes among seniors in the area are above average, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

Karama was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Karama has a high level of cultural diversity, with 33.4% of its population born overseas and 36.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Karama, making up 53.2% of people. However, Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin, comprising 4.7% versus 4.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (18.6%), Other (17.8%), and English (16.0%). There are notable differences in the representation of Filipino (6.7% vs regional 4.7%), Australian Aboriginal (13.7% vs 7.4%), and Greek (4.0% vs 3.7%) ethnic groups compared to Greater Darwin figures.

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%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Karama's age profile. The strongest projected growth is for the 55-64 cohort, with a 21% increase expected to add 126 residents, reaching a total of 721. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 5-14 cohorts.