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 analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, Malak's estimated population is around 3,233. This reflects an increase of 220 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,013. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,233 residents following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of one new address since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,847 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Malak's growth of 7.3% since census positions it within 0.1 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.4%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 56.00000000000001% 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 by this data and post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort from the ABS' latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Projecting demographic trends, an above median population growth is expected for the Malak statistical area (Lv2), with a projected increase of 519 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 15.6% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Malak has consistently granted around 2 residential properties approval each year.

This level is lower than Greater Darwin's construction activity, indicating possible development constraints.

Malak has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. Two projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to influence this region: Berrimah North Area Plan, Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Northern Suburbs Youth Hub, and Leanyer Primary School. The following details those likely to have the most relevance.

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AreaSearch assessment indicates Malak faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Malak has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 9.8% as of the past year, based on AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

This figure indicates an estimated employment growth of 2.1%. As of September 2025, there are 1,530 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.6%, which is higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation in Malak stands at 60.9%, significantly lower than Greater Darwin's 69.7%. The dominant employment sectors among Malak residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Notably, the area has a specialization in education & training, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. However, public administration & safety has limited presence, with only 15.4% employment compared to the regional average of 19.5%. Limited local employment opportunities are suggested by the comparison between Census working population and resident population in Malak. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.1%, while labour force grew by 1.7%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Darwin saw employment growth of 1.9% and an increase in labour force of the same proportion, with a marginal rise in unemployment. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows that NT employment contracted by 1.13%, losing 4,100 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%. This is broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%, but lags behind the national employment growth of 0.14%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Malak's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The latest postcode level ATO data from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that Malak's median income among taxpayers is $52,951, with an average of $59,030. This is below the national average. In comparison, Greater Darwin has a median income of $66,956 and an average of $77,199. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Malak would be approximately $57,420 (median) and $64,012 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, incomes in Malak cluster around the 50th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 30.5% of locals fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, which is consistent with broader trends across the region where 36.7% are in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Malak, with only 82.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 45th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Malak, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 75.2% houses and 24.8% other dwellings. In Darwin metro, this was 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Malak was 21.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.6% and rented ones at 42.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Malak was $1,950, below Darwin metro's $2,028. Median weekly rent in Malak was $301, compared to Darwin metro's $350. Nationally, Malak's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $375.

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

Family households account for 71.2% of all households, including 29.3% couples with children, 20.3% couples without children, and 19.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 28.8%, consisting of 24.1% lone person households and 5.0% group households. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 23.4%, significantly lower than the SA3 average of 36.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are held by 35.5% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (26.1%). Educational participation is high, with 36.4% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 14.1% in primary education, 10.7% in secondary education, and 4.6% 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 Malak shows that there are 17 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 44 individual routes providing service to the area. The weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes amount to 1,958.

Residents enjoy excellent accessibility to public transport, with an average distance of 160 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency across all routes is 279 trips per day, which translates to approximately 115 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Malak is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Malak shows superior health outcomes, with both young and elderly cohorts experiencing low prevalence of common conditions. Approximately half its population (about 1,622 people) has private health cover, lower than Greater Darwin's 57.4% and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are most prevalent, affecting 6.6% and 6.3% respectively; 72.7% report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Darwin's 77.0%.

As of 2019, 13.4% of residents are aged 65 or over (433 people), higher than Greater Darwin's 12.3%. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Malak's population showed high cultural diversity, with 28.4% born overseas and 27.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Malak, accounting for 51.7%. Buddhism, however, was more prevalent in Malak at 3.2%, compared to Greater Darwin's 4.1%.

The top three ancestral groups were Australian (20.7%), English (16.6%), and Other (15.4%). Notably, Filipino residents comprised 5.3% of Malak's population versus the regional average of 4.7%. Also, Australian Aboriginal people made up 14.5%, higher than Greater Darwin's 7.4%, and Maori residents constituted 0.9%, compared to the region's 0.5%.

Malak's population is younger than the national pattern

At 35 years, Malak's median age is comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 and marginally lower than the national average of 38. Relative to Greater Darwin, Malak has a higher concentration of 65-74 year-olds at 8.5% but fewer 25-34 year-olds at 13.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group grew from 2.7% to 4.1%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 14.3% to 15.5%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 16.3% to 13.9%. Demographic modeling suggests Malak's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 27%, adding 114 residents to reach 538. The 0 to 4 group displays more modest growth at 2%, adding only 4 residents.