Malak

Malak 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 evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside new address points verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Malak has an estimated population of approximately 3,290 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 277 residents (9.2%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 3,013 individuals. The change is calculated from the resident population of 3,290, calculated by AreaSearch through analyzing the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) and one verified new address registered since the Census date. This population level yields a density of 1,880 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average recorded across national locations monitored by AreaSearch. The 9.2% post-census growth rate for the suburb of Malak is within 0.1 percentage points of the national average (9.3%), indicating competitive growth dynamics. Demographic expansion in the locality was chiefly driven by overseas arrivals, who accounted for roughly 56.00000000000001% of total population increases over recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base point. For any SA2 regions lacking this coverage, and to calculate growth across all places in the years after 2032, AreaSearch applies cohort-specific growth rates provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, utilizing 2022 data). Looking ahead at demographic trends, population growth exceeding the median of national statistical regions is anticipated for the suburb of Malak, with the area projected to increase by 488 residents by 2041 according to aggregated SA2-level forecasts, showing an overall rise of 14.8% over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building consent statistics compiled from statistical area records, the suburb of Malak has averaged about 3 residential approvals per year. With population numbers falling over recent periods, the incoming supply has probably matched demand, providing good options for purchasers.

Relative to Greater Darwin, the suburb of Malak displays a far lower volume of building activity. This constrained supply of new homes typically underpins stronger demand and pricing for existing housing. The level of activity is also below the countrywide average, reflecting the established nature of the locality and suggesting potential planning constraints.

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

Development trends, local planning changes, and major public works have significant impacts on regional property markets. AreaSearch has identified a total of 2 key projects poised to influence this region. Notable projects include the Berrimah North Area Plan, the Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, the Northern Suburbs Youth Hub, and the Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade, with the most relevant ones detailed below.

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 labour market performance in Malak lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

The suburb of Malak possesses a qualified labor force with solid representation in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of 10.3% and an estimated 0.7% growth in jobs over the past year, according to AreaSearch aggregations of statistical area files. As of March 2026, 1,527 local residents are employed, whereas the jobless rate stands 6.9% higher than the rate of 3.5% in Greater Darwin, indicating potential for improvement, and labor force participation is notably lower (65.3% compared to 72.7% in Greater Darwin). According to Census statistics, a minor 3.4% of workers operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns must be taken into account.

Primary employment sectors for residents include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area displays a distinct concentration in education & training, where the employment share is 1.3 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, public administration & safety has a lower presence at 15.4% compared to the regional rate of 19.5%. The heavily residential nature of the locality appears to provide few local jobs, as shown by comparing the count of Census workers against the resident population.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from wider statistical areas, the 12-month span experienced a 0.7% lift in employment alongside a 0.8% rise in the labor force, while unemployment remained virtually static. This contrasts with Greater Darwin, where employment increased by 0.4%, the labor force grew by 0.8%, and unemployment ticked up by 0.3 percentage points. Future employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide additional context regarding future demand trends for the suburb of Malak. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by industry. Projecting these industry-specific trends onto the local employment structure indicates that employment for the suburb of Malak should rise by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years (note that this utilizes a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

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

Based on AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode-level ATO statistics published for the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Malak recorded a median taxpayer income of $52,951 and an average income of $59,030. These figures sit below the nationwide averages and compare to $66,956 (median) and $77,199 (average) across Greater Darwin. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.41% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates correspond to approximately $57,934 for the median and $64,585 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Malak sit close to the 50th percentile nationally. Distribution metrics show that 30.5% of the population (1,003 people) are positioned within the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which align with wider regional trends where 36.7% fall into this bracket. Housing affordability pressure is high, leaving only 82.6% of income free, which ranks at the 45th percentile.

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

Residential structures in the suburb of Malak at the time of the latest Census consisted of 75.2% standalone houses and 24.8% alternative dwellings (townhouses, apartments, and other housing types), compared to 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings across the Darwin metro region. Home ownership in the suburb of Malak stood at 21.1%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (36.6%) or renters (42.3%). The median monthly home loan payment in the area was lower than the Darwin metro average at $1,950, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $301, compared to Darwin metro benchmarks of $2,100 and $385. Globally, mortgage payments in the suburb of Malak are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, whereas rents are notably below the national average of $375.

Malak features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 71.2%, consisting of couples with children at 29.3%, couples without children at 20.3%, and single parent households at 19.6%. Non-family households constitute the remaining 28.8%, with single person homes at 24.1% and group living situations representing 5.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.8 individuals is larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.

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

The locality presents educational disparities, with university degree attainment rates (23.4%) sitting significantly lower than the SA3 average of 36.1%. This situation represents both a difficulty and a chance for focused educational programs. Undergraduate degrees are the most common at 15.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 35.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (26.1%).

Enrollment rates in study are high, with 36.4% of residents actively participating in academic programs. This comprises 14.1% in primary school, 10.7% in high school, and 4.6% undertaking higher education.

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

Public transit metrics show 17 active transport stops in the suburb of Malak, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 44 distinct routes, delivering a combined total of 1,958 passenger trips each week. Transport connection quality is classified as excellent, with typical resident transit access distances of 160 meters. Being a residential area, the vast majority of workers travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 92%. Average household vehicle ownership is 1.4 cars per home. A small proportion of 3.4% of residents worked from home, based on 2021 Census statistics that may reflect COVID-19 settings.

Transit services average 279 daily trips across the transit network, which translates to roughly 115 weekly journeys for each individual stop.

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

The suburb of Malak faces notable healthcare issues, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and chronic disease rates, with general health issues being somewhat common across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance rates sitting relatively low at approximately 50% of the population (~1,651 individuals). This compares to 57.8% across Greater Darwin and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical issues identified in the region are mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 6.6% and 6.3% of residents respectively, whereas 72.7% of the population reported no chronic conditions compared to 77.1% in Greater Darwin. Health profiles among working-age individuals are generally average. The population includes 14.1% of residents aged 65 and older (463 individuals), compared to 11.0% in Greater Darwin. Senior health outcomes are strong, with national rankings exceeding those of the overall local population.

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

The suburb of Malak displays a higher level of cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 28.4% of the population born overseas and 27.9% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 51.7% of residents. The most noticeable disproportionate representation is in Buddhism, which accounts for 3.2% of the population, compared to 3.3% across Greater Darwin.

Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplace, the three largest groups in the suburb of Malak are Australian at 20.7%, English at 16.6% (which is lower than the regional benchmark of 21.7%), and Other at 15.4%. There are also notable differences in other groups: Filipino residents are highly represented at 5.3% (compared to 3.8% regionally), Australian Aboriginal residents stand at 14.5% (compared to 7.0%), and Maori residents account for 0.9% (compared to 0.6%).

Malak's population is younger than the national pattern

With a median age of 35 years, the suburb of Malak is close to the Greater Darwin average of 34 and slightly younger than the national average of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, the suburb of Malak has a larger proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 (8.4%) but fewer people aged 25 - 34 (12.4%). Post-2021 Census data indicates the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 2.7% to 4.5% of the total population. In contrast, the 5 to 14 age group fell from 16.3% to 13.9% and the 25 to 34 demographic decreased from 13.6% to 12.4%. Future demographic projections suggest the age profile of the suburb of Malak will transform by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to experience the fastest growth at 26%, adding 114 residents to reach 549, while the 0 to 4 group is expected to grow by 4%, adding 7 children.