Nhulunbuy

An assessment of population growth drivers in Nhulunbuy reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

The population of the Nhulunbuy statistical area (Lv2) was estimated at around 4,545 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase from the population of 3,350 recorded in the 2021 Census. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of a resident population of 4,106 based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional validated new address since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 69 persons per square kilometer. The growth rate of 35.7% since the 2021 census exceeds both the national average of 9.7% and the state's growth rate, making it a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 55% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and overseas migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort to each area, based on the ABS's Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for non-metropolitan national areas. The Nhulunbuy (SA2) is expected to increase by 571 persons to reach a total of 4,698 by 2041, reflecting a decrease of 1.9% over the 17-year period from 2024 to 2041.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Nhulunbuy according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Nhulunbuy has seen limited development activity over the past five years, with an average of 3 approvals per year totalling 19. This low level is typical in rural areas due to modest housing needs and limited construction activity influenced by local demand and infrastructure capacity. Yearly growth figures can vary significantly based on individual projects.

Compared to the Rest of NT and national averages, Nhulunbuy has much lower development activity. New building activity consists of 80% detached houses and 20% medium and high-density housing, reflecting the area's rural character with larger properties being typical. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 966 people, indicating a quiet development environment. With stable or declining population expected, pressure on housing in Nhulunbuy should remain low, potentially creating buying opportunities.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Nhulunbuy should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Nhulunbuy has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 8thth percentile nationally

Three projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Bunggulwuy Close Housing Development, Nhulunbuy Master Plan, Gunyangara (Gove Port) Tourism Precinct, and Northern Territory Freight Rail And Logistics Capacity Improvements.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Nhulunbuy rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Nhulunbuy has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 0.9%.

This is below the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%, and workforce participation is higher at 65.4% compared to the regional average of 50.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include mining, health care & social assistance, and public administration & safety. Mining is particularly strong with an employment share 6.9 times the regional level, while public administration & safety shows lower representation at 10.6% versus the regional average of 17.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population to local population count.

In the 12 months prior, labour force decreased by 1.2%, employment decreased by 1.2%, and unemployment remained essentially unchanged in Nhulunbuy. This contrasts with Rest of NT where employment contracted by 1.3%, labour force fell by 1.2%, and unemployment rose marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Nhulunbuy's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Nhulunbuy suburb's income level is among the top percentile nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 2023. Median income among taxpayers in Nhulunbuy was $85,143 with average income at $108,194, comparing to Rest of NT's figures of $53,572 and $63,776 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $92,329 (median) and $117,326 (average) as of September 2025. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data for 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Nhulunbuy rank highly nationally, between the 94th and 97th percentiles. Distribution data shows that 39.8% of residents (1,808 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region at 33.6%. Notably, 44.8% earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating prosperity driving local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 95.6% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and SEIFA income ranking places area in the 6th decile.

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

Nhulunbuy's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.7% houses and 14.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NT's 89.4% houses and 10.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nhulunbuy was at 5.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 3.2% and rented ones at 91.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,741, higher than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,664. The median weekly rent figure was $120, compared to Non-Metro NT's $80. Nationally, Nhulunbuy's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,741 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Nhulunbuy has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 74.9% of all households, including 46.1% couples with children, 21.4% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 25.1%, with lone person households at 22.0% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.8 people, smaller than the Rest of NT average of 4.0.

Nhulunbuy performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Educational attainment in Nhulunbuy is notably high, with 29.4% of residents aged 15 years and above holding university qualifications as of 2021, compared to 14.9% in the SA3 area and 20.1% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 45.2% of residents aged 15 years and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (35.6%). Educational participation is particularly high in the area, with 47.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2021, including 21.7% in primary education, 12.7% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 47.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 21.7% in primary education, 12.7% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Health outcomes data shows exceptional results in Nhulunbuy, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 69% of the total population of 3,150 people have private health cover, compared to 52.9% in the Rest of NT and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (5.6%) and mental health issues (5.1%), while 82.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 82.9% reported in the Rest of NT.

As of 2021, 5.3% of residents are aged 65 and over, totaling 240 people. Health outcomes among seniors align with those of the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Nhulunbuy records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Nhulunbuy's cultural diversity is above average, with 18.7% of its population born overseas and 15.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Nhulunbuy, comprising 43.0% of people. The 'Other' religious category comprises 1.8%, significantly lower than the Rest of NT average of 15.8%.

In terms of ancestry, Australians make up 28.1%, substantially higher than the regional average of 11.5%. English ancestry is also high at 24.8% compared to the regional average of 10.3%. Other ancestry comprises 8.7%. Notably, Maori representation is overrepresented at 1.7% versus 0.7% regionally, Australian Aboriginal is at 8.0% (versus 60.9%), and South African ancestry is at 0.7% (versus 0.3%).

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

Nhulunbuy's median age is 33 years, which is slightly higher than the Rest of NT average of 31 but considerably lower than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Rest of NT, Nhulunbuy has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (20.0%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (14.5%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of Nhulunbuy's population aged 15-24 has increased from 10.0% to 11.7%, while the proportion aged 25-34 has decreased from 16.6% to 14.5%. The proportion of residents aged 5-14 has also dropped, from 19.5% to 18.1%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Nhulunbuy. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 16%, reaching a population of 727 from its current level of 627. Conversely, the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are projected to experience population declines.