Muirhead

Muirhead lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of November 2025, Muirhead's population is estimated at around 4,103, reflecting an increase of 414 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS ERP estimate for surrounding areas applied to Muirhead by AreaSearch in June 2024 was 4,099, with an additional 9 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,399 persons per square kilometer, placing Muirhead in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 11.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area average (7.6%) and the national average. Natural growth contributed approximately 55% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and interstate migration being positive factors. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort to each area based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, Muirhead is expected to increase by 993 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 28.6% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Muirhead when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Muirhead shows around 19 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 95 homes were approved, with another 3 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of 6.3 people moving to the area per dwelling built over these years.

Supply is lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. Developers target the premium market segment, with new dwellings valued at an average of $635,000. In FY-26, there have been $39,000 in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Darwin, Muirhead records 159.0% more construction activity per person.

Recent construction comprises 91.0% detached dwellings and 9.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. The location has approximately 444 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area. By 2041, Muirhead is expected to grow by 1,174 residents according to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Construction pace is maintaining with projected growth, although buyers may encounter growing competition as population increases.

Muirhead has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 2ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region: Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade, Lee Point Master-planned Urban Development, Casuarina Square Redevelopment, Leanyer Primary School are key projects, with the following list detailing 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Muirhead performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Muirhead has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 0.5%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.9% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of June 2025, 2,545 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.5% lower than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.0%. Workforce participation in Muirhead is high at 80.1%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Major employment sectors include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Muirhead specializes particularly in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level.

Construction employment is limited at 5.8%, compared to the regional average of 9.2%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population count versus resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.9% while labour force grew by 2.9%, keeping unemployment broadly flat. By comparison, Greater Darwin recorded similar employment and labour force growth but with a marginal fall in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Muirhead. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Muirhead's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Muirhead's median income among taxpayers was $82,927 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $96,577 during the same period. This compares to figures for Greater Darwin of $65,522 and $75,260 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest Muirhead's median income would be approximately $92,887 and average income $108,176, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Muirhead rank between the 96th and 97th percentiles nationally. Income distribution indicates that 40.9% of Muirhead's population (1,678 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to broader regional trends at 36.7%. A substantial proportion of high earners, 50.5%, have incomes above $3,000 per week. This indicates strong economic capacity in Muirhead. Housing accounts for 14.5% of income, with residents ranking within the 96th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Muirhead is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Muirhead, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.7% houses and 7.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Darwin metro had 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Muirhead was at 5.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.4% and rented ones at 45.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,600, higher than Darwin metro's average of $2,028. The median weekly rent figure for Muirhead was $313, lower than Darwin metro's $350. Nationally, Muirhead's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,600 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $313 compared to the national figure of $375.

Muirhead features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 90.6% of all households, including 61.6% couples with children, 21.8% couples without children, and 6.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 9.4%, with lone person households at 6.9% and group households at 2.8%. The median household size is 3.4 people, larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7.

Muirhead demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Muirhead's educational attainment is notably high. 44.2% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 27.3% in the Northern Territory (NT) and 30.4% nationally in Australia. Bachelor degrees are most common at 28.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.4%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 28.9% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 17.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 39.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.9% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 8.5% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities may be located outside Muirhead's immediate boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Public transport analysis reveals one active transport stop operating within Muirhead. This stop services a mix of buses. Three individual routes service this stop collectively providing forty-five weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated moderate with residents typically located five hundred seventy-four meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages six trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately forty-five weekly trips per individual stop.

Muirhead's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Muirhead, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the total population (2,658 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Darwin and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 4.8% and 4.3% of residents respectively, while 84.8% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin.

Muirhead has 2.3% of residents aged 65 and over (94 people), lower than the 12.3% in Greater Darwin. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Muirhead is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Muirhead has a high level of cultural diversity, with 44.1% of its population born overseas and 46.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Muirhead, accounting for 47.7% of its people. However, Hinduism is notably overrepresented, comprising 8.1% of the population compared to 5.1% across Greater Darwin.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (18.4%), Australian (17.4%), and English (15.6%). There are also significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Filipino is overrepresented at 6.0% versus 4.7% regionally, Indian at 9.7% versus 3.2%, and Greek at 4.7% versus 3.7%.

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

The median age in Muirhead is 29 years, which is lower than Greater Darwin's average of 34 and Australia's median of 38. The percentage of individuals aged 5-14 in Muirhead is notably higher at 18.3%, compared to the Greater Darwin average and the national figure of 12.2%. Conversely, those aged 55-64 are under-represented at 5.0% locally. According to post-2021 Census data, the percentage of individuals aged 45-54 has increased from 12.0% to 13.2%, while the percentage of those aged 0-4 has decreased from 10.0% to 8.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Muirhead's age structure, with the strongest growth expected in the 45-54 cohort, which is projected to grow by 58%, adding 315 residents and reaching a total of 857 individuals.