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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Katherine South has an estimated 1,885 residents, up from 1,507 at the 2021 Census — a change of 378 people, or 25.1%. Growth has averaged 2.5% a year over five years, faster than 93% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 61.0% of that increase. That puts 367 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Katherine South has an estimated population of around 1,885 residents, according to AreaSearch research that incorporates broader ABS population revisions alongside 21 validated new addresses identified since the Census date. This represents an expansion of 378 people (25.1%) from the 1,507 people recorded in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch established this resident count of 1,885 following the ABS release of June 2025 ERP figures. The local population density stands at 367 persons per square kilometer, indicating generous space per resident and room for prospective expansion.
Outpacing both the broader state and the 9.5% national benchmark, the suburb of Katherine South recorded a 25.1% post-2021 census increase, positioning it among the region's top growth performers. The primary catalyst was natural increase, which accounted for approximately 61.0% of recent population gains. Population projections for the suburb of Katherine South utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline for each SA2. For periods beyond 2032 or areas without coverage, AreaSearch incorporates age-cohort growth rates drawn from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 figures. Looking ahead to 2041, the suburb of Katherine South is anticipated to see an addition of 214 persons according to consolidated SA2 forecasts, representing a total gain of 11.3% across the 16 years. This projected expansion places the area slightly under the national regional median.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
28 new dwellings have been approved in Katherine South over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That places the area in the 61st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Building approvals compiled by AreaSearch from ABS statistical area data indicate that development approvals in Katherine South have averaged around 5 dwellings each year. Over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), an estimated 28 homes were approved, with 8 recorded in FY-25 to date. An average of 6.9 new residents arrived per dwelling built across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demonstrating that demand outpaces residential supply and placing upward pressure on property values and buyer competition. New dwellings carry an average construction cost of $465,000, aligning with regional building standards.
Commercial activity is also notable, with $48.1 million in commercial development approvals recorded this financial year. On a per-person basis, residential construction activity in Katherine South exceeds Rest of NT by 78.0%, widening options for prospective purchasers. Recent building approvals consist of 80.0% detached dwellings and 20.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the low-density urban character of the locality. Although detached housing comprised 51.0% at Census, developers are prioritizing standalone houses to meet sustained family demand amid wider densification. The market shows an emerging profile with approximately 232 people per dwelling approval. Projections indicate that Katherine South will gain 214 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If dwelling construction continues at its current pace, residential supply could lag behind population growth, intensifying buyer competition and supporting local property prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Katherine South
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Katherine South. A further 2 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $79 million. 2 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, communities, precincts & urban renewal and ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant influence on property and community outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 3 projects of relevance to the area. Key infrastructure works include the Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub, the Katherine Aquatic Centre Upgrade, Tindal Village, and the Katherine Solar Farm (ENI).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub
A large-scale intermodal logistics and agribusiness hub adjacent to the Darwin-Tarcoola rail corridor and Stuart Highway in Katherine East. The hub is designed to service the storage, processing and freight needs of agriculture, horticulture, resources and defence industries across the Big Rivers region and northern Australia. The NT Government and Australian Government have committed $63.2 million combined, with the 2024 NT Budget allocating a further $30 million for continuing headworks and subdivision works. Critical water supply infrastructure is under construction through a joint NT Connections package with the National Water Grid Authority, with completion expected mid-2026.Full hub construction is targeted for completion Q4 2026.
Tindal Village
A workstay village with 200 en-suited rooms and amenities, located near Tindal RAAF Base to accommodate workforces for various projects in the area.
Supporting Growth in Katherine East (Katherine East Residential Estate)
NT Government and Australian Government enabling infrastructure project delivering serviced flood-free land in Katherine East. Stage 1 works including Corymbia Drive, earthworks, roads, stormwater, sewer and electrical infrastructure have been completed. Budget 2024 provided a further AUD16 million for a sewer pump station, sewer network and additional subdivision works to support the future release of more than 350 residential lots together with neighbourhood retail, commercial and community uses.
1,325 residents of Katherine South are employed, from a labour force of 1,352. Unemployment sits at 2.0%, with participation at 89.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 1,220, about 65% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Katherine South features a highly qualified labour pool with a strong presence across essential services. Based on statistical area metrics compiled by AreaSearch, the local unemployment rate sits at just 2.0%, following an estimated employment gain of 4.4% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, 1,325 residents are employed. The local jobless rate is 3.9% below the 5.9% recorded across Regional NT, while labour force participation reaches a substantial 89.0%, well above the 69.8% figure for Regional NT. Census figures show that 2.4% of employed residents worked from home, with Covid-19 restrictions forming relevant context.
Major sectors of employment for Katherine South residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.5% of the local workforce, trailing the 5.0% proportion seen across Regional NT. Comparisons between the Census working population and resident count point to relatively constrained job opportunities situated directly within the locality. Over the recent 12-month period, AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM statistical data indicates that local employment expanded by 4.4% and the labour force grew by 4.2%, while unemployment held steady. In comparison, Regional NT saw employment expand by 2.8% and the labour force increase by 2.7%, accompanied by a slight decrease in joblessness. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 project overall nationwide workforce growth of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with trends varying by sector. When these industry trajectory models are weighted against the local employment composition, projected employment growth for Katherine South stands at 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Katherine South is $1,632 a week (about $85,000 a year), with median personal income at $912 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,388 a year against an average of $57,465. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to aggregated ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023 published by AreaSearch, taxpayers in Katherine South recorded a median income of $52,388 and an average of $57,465. These figures sit below the national average as well as the Regional NT benchmarks of $53,572 (median) and $63,776 (average). Factoring in a 9.41% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 reach approximately $57,318 for median earnings and $62,872 for the average. In the 2021 Census, personal earnings were at the 69th percentile ($912 weekly), while household earnings reached the 43rd percentile.
The predominant earnings cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, encompassing 35.1% of residents (661 people), comparable to the 33.6% regional share. Affordability pressures are notable, with 83.2% of income remaining after housing expenses, placing the area at the 43rd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Katherine South had 524 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 51% detached houses and 6% apartments. 18% are owned with a mortgage, 69% rented and 14% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $320 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,325 a month. Rent absorbs 19.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Dwelling structure within Katherine South, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 51.2% houses and 48.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional NT's 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Katherine South was in line with that of Regional NT, at 13.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (17.5%) or rented (68.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Regional NT average at $1,325, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $320, compared to Regional NT's $1,733 and $150.
Nationally, Katherine South's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Katherine South counted 524 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 655 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 82% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent 61.1% of all occupied residences in Katherine South, consisting of 23.8% couples without children, 21.7% couples with children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 38.9%, with single-person households representing 32.1% and group households comprising 7.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, compared to 3.1 across Regional NT.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
30.1% of adults in Katherine South hold a university qualification, including 19.8% with a bachelor degree and 6.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.2% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 273 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 842 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment levels among Katherine South residents surpass regional benchmarks, with 30.1% of individuals aged 15+ possessing university credentials, compared to 17.4% in the SA3 area and 20.1% across the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are held by 19.8% of the adult population, postgraduate qualifications by 6.8%, and graduate diplomas by 3.5%. Vocational and technical qualifications are also widespread, with 39.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, divided between certificates (27.2%) and advanced diplomas (11.8%). Participation in study is substantial across Katherine South, with 39.5% of the population attending an educational institution.
This includes 16.2% enrolled in primary education, 10.0% in secondary schooling, and 4.7% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Katherine South means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
76.0% of residents in Katherine South report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch indicate notable challenges in Katherine South regarding chronic conditions and mortality rates, with health conditions present across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage stands at approximately 50% of residents (~934 people), which is lower than the Regional NT figure of 51.6% and the Australian average of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most frequently reported diagnoses in Katherine South, affecting 6.5 and 5.6% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 76.0% of the local population reported no long-term medical conditions, compared to 78.4% across Regional NT.
Health indicators among residents under 65 are above average. Residents aged 65 and over account for 11.0% of the community (207 people), exceeding the 8.5% proportion in Regional NT, with health outcomes for this senior cohort ranking above regional and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Katherine South is largely Australian-born, at 79.1% of residents, with 25.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (23.9%) and Australian (23.3%). 23.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Katherine South is higher than in many local areas, with 20.9% of the population born abroad and 25.1% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, observed by 41.9% of residents. Judaism shows the most significant relative overrepresentation, accounting for 0.4% of the population compared to 0.1% across Regional NT. Regarding parent country of birth, the primary ancestries in Katherine South are Australian Aboriginal at 23.9% (below the regional average of 43.6%), Australian at 23.3% (exceeding the regional level of 14.9%), and English at 17.3%.
Other distinct ancestral representations include Filipino residents at 2.3% (compared to 1.4% regionally), Maori at 0.7% (vs 0.7%), and Sri Lankan at 0.5% (vs 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Katherine South is 32, younger than 86% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 33.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Katherine South align closely with Regional NT across all four broad cohorts, with the largest variance between them being 2.5 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 32, compared to 33 at the 2021 Census, 31 for Regional NT at that Census, and 38 nationally at the same Census. The most noticeable shift since the Census occurred among the 45 - 64 age group, which decreased from 23.0% to an estimated 20.8% of the population. By 2041, middle aged and young retiree cohorts are projected to experience the highest numeric increase, rising by 82 (21%) to 474 residents, while the retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) are forecast to record the fastest rate of growth, increasing by 27% to 264.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Katherine South
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 21 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,507 at the 2021 Census → 1,885 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL70146). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.