Katherine South

Katherine South 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 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Katherine South's population is estimated at around 1,672 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 165 people (10.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,507 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,652, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest Estimated Resident Population data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional four validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 325 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Katherine South's 10.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (8.9%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is applying 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). Considering the projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally is expected, with the suburb expected to expand by 186 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 12.4% in total over the 17 years.

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

Katherine South had 3 dwelling approvals annually over the past five years, totalling 19. This low development activity is typical of rural areas with modest housing needs and limited construction due to local demand and infrastructure capacity. The small number of approvals can significantly impact annual growth statistics.

Compared to Rest of NT, Katherine South has significantly less construction activity, and its levels are also below national averages. Recent construction comprised 60% standalone homes and 40% medium and high-density housing, offering a range of attached housing types. As of the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate in 2021, there were approximately 677 people per dwelling approval in Katherine South. Future projections indicate that by 2041, Katherine South's population is expected to grow by 208 residents.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Katherine South has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 1stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three major projects expected to influence the region: Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub, Katherine Aquatic Centre Upgrade, Tindal Village, and Katherine Solar Farm (ENI). The following details those considered 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Katherine South well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Katherine South has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 1.9%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, 1,209 residents are employed, with the local unemployment rate at 4.0%, below Rest of NT's 5.9%. Workforce participation stands at 55.8%, surpassing Rest of NT's 50.7%. Key industries for employment among locals are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.5% of local workers, lower than Rest of NT's 5.0%.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, Katherine South's labour force decreased by 1.6%, with employment declining by 1.2%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NT where employment contracted by 1.7%, the labour force fell by 1.8%, and unemployment dropped marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth varying significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Katherine South's employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

Katherine South's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $52,388. The average income stood at $57,465 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of NT's median and average incomes were $51,655 and $61,577 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest Katherine South's median income would be approximately $58,680 and the average around $64,367, factoring in a 12.01% growth since financial year 2022. According to census data, personal income ranks at the 69th percentile with weekly earnings of $912. Household income is at the 43rd percentile. Income distribution shows that 35.1% of residents (586 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, similar to the surrounding region where this group represents 33.6%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 43rd percentile.

Katherine South displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Katherine South, as per the latest Census evaluation, 51.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 48.8% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is in contrast to Non-Metro NT's dwelling structure, which was 77.7% houses and 22.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Katherine South stood at 13.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 17.5% and rented ones at 68.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,325, lower than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,615. The median weekly rent figure for Katherine South was $320, compared to Non-Metro NT's $178. Nationally, Katherine South's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,325 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Katherine South features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 61.1% of all households, including 21.7% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 32.1% and group households comprising 7.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NT average of 3.2.

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

In Katherine South, residents aged 15 years and over have a higher proportion of university qualifications compared to broader areas. Specifically, 30.1% of residents hold such qualifications, surpassing the SA3 area's 17.4% and the SA4 region's 20.1%. This educational advantage is led by bachelor degrees at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 39.0% of residents aged 15 years and over holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (27.2%).

Educational participation is notably high in Katherine South, with 39.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 16.2% in primary education, 10.0% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education. The area has two schools serving students: Katherine South Primary School and Kintore Street School, with a total of 273 students. The area's educational conditions are varied (ICSEA score: 842), and the educational mix includes one primary school and one K-12 school.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Katherine South's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Katherine South. Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population, nearing the nation's average among older, at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 50% (~828 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 6.5 and 5.6% of residents respectively. 76.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 78.3% across Rest of NT. The area has 10.7% (178 people) of residents aged 65 and over, higher than the 8.2% in Rest of NT. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population.

Katherine South 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

Katherine South's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 20.9% born overseas and 25.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Katherine South as of 2021, comprising 41.9% of its population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to the rest of NT, making up 0.4% versus 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal comprised 23.9%, lower than the regional average of 43.9%. Australian ancestry was substantially higher at 23.3%, surpassing the regional average of 17.5%. English ancestry made up 17.3% of Katherine South's population. Other ethnic groups with notable divergences include Filipino (2.3% vs regional 1.6%), Sri Lankan (0.5% vs 0.2%), and Maori (0.7% vs 0.4%).

Katherine South's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Katherine South's median age at 33 years modestly exceeds the Rest of NT average of 31 but is substantially under Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NT, Katherine South has a higher concentration of residents aged 65-74 (7.2%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (12.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 35 to 44 grew from 14.4% to 16.0%, while the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 11.6% to 10.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Katherine South, with the 45 to 54 group projected to grow by 32 people (reaching 230 from 173), while the 35 to 44 cohort is not expected to change.