Katherine East

Katherine East 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 analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, Katherine East's estimated population is around 3,620. This reflects an increase of 559 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,061 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3,550 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 460 persons per square kilometer. Katherine East's growth rate of 18.3% since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (9.7%) and state average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 estimations, 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). Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Katherine East statistical area is expected to grow by 371 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 5.3% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Katherine East, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Katherine East has experienced around 11 dwellings receiving development approval per year. An estimated 59 homes were approved over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, with a further 14 approved so far in FY-26. On average, only 0.7 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these years, indicating that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $356,000. There have also been $50.1 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NT, Katherine East records 69.0% more building activity per person, creating greater choice for buyers. This figure is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and potentially indicating planning constraints. New development consists of 78.0% detached houses and 22.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 344 people per dwelling approval, Katherine East shows a developing market. Looking ahead, Katherine East is expected to grow by 193 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Katherine East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the area. Key projects are Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub, Supporting Growth in Katherine East (Katherine East Residential Estate), Katherine Aquatic Centre Upgrade, and Tindal Village. The following list details those 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.

The employment landscape in Katherine East presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.8%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Katherine East has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 2,254 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 2.0% below the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%. Workforce participation in Katherine East stands at 65.3%, surpassing the Rest of NT's 50.7%. Key employment industries include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Notably, public administration & safety employs 1.4 times more residents than the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.6% of local workers, lower than the Rest of NT's 5.0%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, labour force decreased by 1.5%, employment declined by 1.3%, leading to a slight fall in unemployment of 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with the Rest of NT where employment fell by 1.3% and unemployment rose marginally despite a 1.2% contraction in labour force. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Katherine East's current employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Katherine East had an average national income level according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $61,981 and the average income stood at $67,988. This compares to figures for Rest of NT's which were $53,572 and $63,776 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $67,212 (median) and $73,726 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Katherine East, between the 70th and 84th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows the largest segment comprises 36.9% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,335 residents), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 33.6% in the same category. Housing accounts for 14.8% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 73rd percentile for disposable income and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

In Katherine East, as recorded in the latest Census, 83.7% of dwellings were houses while 16.3% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This is compared to Non-Metro NT's figures of 77.7% houses and 22.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Katherine East stood at 12.2%, with mortgaged properties at 25.1% and rented ones at 62.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,615. Weekly rent median in Katherine East was recorded at $350, compared to Non-Metro NT's figure of $178. Nationally, Katherine East's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Katherine East features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 71.9% of all households, including 32.7% couples with children, 22.8% couples without children, and 14.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.1%, with lone person households at 22.2% and group households making up 6.0%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NT average of 3.2.

Educational outcomes in Katherine East fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 25.8%, exceeding the SA3 area average of 17.4% and the SA4 regional rate of 20.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 16.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 7.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Vocational credentials are held by 40.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 29.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 38.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.5% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Katherine East's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Katherine East shows excellent health outcomes, notably among younger age groups with low prevalence rates for common conditions. Private health cover stands at approximately 54%, higher than the SA2 average (1,942 people).

This contrasts with Rest of NT's 50%. Common medical conditions include asthma (7.2%) and diabetes (5.1%). A total of 77.9% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of NT's 78.3%. Residents aged 65+ make up 7.1%, fewer than Rest of NT's 8.2%. Despite this, seniors' health outcomes require more attention due to their above-average needs.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Katherine East was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Katherine East's population, born overseas, was 21.3%, higher than most local markets. At home, 23.7% spoke a language other than English. Christianity was the primary religion in Katherine East, with 40.7%.

Hinduism was overrepresented at 4.5%, compared to 1.4% regionally. In ancestry, Australian was highest at 22.7%, Australian Aboriginal was 22.5%, and English was 16.5%. Filipino, Samoan, and Sri Lankan groups were notably higher in Katherine East than the regional averages: Filipino at 4.8% vs 1.6%, Samoan at 0.3% vs 0.1%, and Sri Lankan at 0.3% vs 0.2%.

Katherine East hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Katherine East's median age is 30 years, close to Rest of NT's 31 and significantly lower than the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NT, Katherine East has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (17.1%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (7.7%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the age group 35 to 44 has increased from 15.2% to 17.3% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 19.4% to 18.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Katherine East's age profile. The 45 to 54 group is projected to grow by 23%, increasing from 365 to 448 people. Conversely, both the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to decrease in number.