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

Karama's population is estimated at around 5,040 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 237 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,803. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. Karama's density ratio is 2,434 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Karama's population growth rate of 4.9% since census positions it within 2.5 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.4%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing 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, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort to each area, as provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of Australian statistical areas, with Karama expected to expand by 638 persons to 2041, reflecting a total 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 had no new homes approved over the past five-year period. This indicates that the area is largely built out, with minimal vacant land available for development. Established areas such as Karama typically experience steady demand for existing properties due to limited new-build alternatives.

Compared to Greater Darwin, Karama shows substantially reduced construction activity, which generally supports stronger demand and higher expected construction cost values for established dwellings. This level of activity is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and suggesting possible planning constraints may be in place.

Karama has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 14thth percentile nationally

"Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects impacting the region: Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade (2018-2020) and Berrimah North Area Plan (2021-present). Notable projects include Darwin Corporate Park, Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade (both 2022-ongoing).".

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Employment performance in Karama has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Karama has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 6.9% and estimated employment growth over the past year was 1.8%. As of September 2025, there are 2,478 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, which is higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%.

Workforce participation in Karama is lower at 66.9% compared to Greater Darwin's 76.0%. Only 3.4% of residents work from home. Key industries of employment are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Retail trade has a higher representation with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 14.5% versus the regional average of 19.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.8% and labour force increased by 1.3%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In Greater Darwin, employment grew by 1.9% and labour force expanded by 1.9%, with a marginal increase in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% 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.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Karama suburb had median income among taxpayers at $53,397 and average income at $59,528. These figures are lower than national averages of $66,956 and $77,199 respectively in Greater Darwin. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year ended June 2023, estimated median income for Karama as of September 2025 would be approximately $57,904 and average income at $64,552. Census 2021 data shows incomes in Karama cluster around the 54th percentile nationally. Income distribution reveals largest segment at 34.6% earning $1,500-$2,999 weekly (1,743 residents), similar to regional levels where 36.7% fall within this bracket. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 51st percentile nationally.

Karama is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Karama's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.2% houses and 22.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Darwin metro's 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karama was at 19.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.8% and rented ones at 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, lower than Darwin metro's average of $2,100. Median weekly rent in Karama was $293, compared to Darwin metro's $385. Nationally, Karama's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,950 against the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $293 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 26.1%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households comprising 3.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.

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 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 held by 35.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.8% and certificates at 26.5%. Educational participation is high, with 34.5% currently enrolled in formal education: 12.8% in primary, 10.5% in secondary, 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

The analysis of public transport in Karama shows that there are 27 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 45 individual routes providing service to the area. Together, these routes facilitate approximately 2,400 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Karama is rated as excellent, with residents typically located about 140 meters from the nearest transport stop. As primarily a residential area, most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. The car remains the dominant mode of transportation among residents, with an average vehicle ownership rate of 1.4 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 3.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. On average, there are 342 trips made per day across all routes, equating to around 88 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Karama is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Karama faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2,539 people), compared to 57.8% in Greater Darwin and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma (7.0%) and arthritis (5.8%). 74.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.1% in Greater Darwin. Health outcomes among the working-age population are typical. The area has 12.5% of residents aged 65 and over (630 people), higher than Greater Darwin's 10.8%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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 there. However, Buddhism stands out as being overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin, comprising 4.7% of Karama's population versus 3.3%.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three groups in Karama are Australian at 18.6%, Other at 17.8%, and English at 16.0%, which is lower than the regional average of 21.7%. Notably, Filipino, Australian Aboriginal, and Greek ethnicities are overrepresented in Karama compared to regional averages: Filipino at 6.7% versus 3.8%, Australian Aboriginal at 13.7% versus 7.0%, and Greek at 4.0% versus 2.3%.

Karama's population is younger than the national pattern

Karama's median age is 35 years, comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 and slightly below the national average of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Karama has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (8.7%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.4%). Post-2021 Census data shows that the 65-74 age group has increased from 7.3% to 8.7%, while the 35-44 cohort has risen from 14.1% to 15.3%. Conversely, the 0-4 age group has decreased from 7.0% to 6.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Karama's age profile. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow by 21%, adding 138 residents to reach 794. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age range is expected to decrease by 3%.