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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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Parap has an estimated 3,175 residents, up from 2,819 at the 2021 Census — a change of 356 people, or 12.6%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years, faster than 79% of areas nationally. Overseas migration accounts for 81.0% of that increase. That puts 2,886 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
Based on assessments of ABS population statistics for the surrounding region and address verifications by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Parap has an estimated population of 3,175 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 356 residents (12.6%) from the 2,819 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is derived from the resident population of 3,175, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside 2 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 2,886 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of Australian areas analyzed by AreaSearch.
The population expansion of 12.6% in the suburb of Parap since the 2021 census outpaced the national benchmark of 9.3%, establishing it as a regional growth leader. The primary driver for this demographic growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 81.0% of the total population gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline year. For SA2 regions lacking these projections, and to project trends beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections published in 2023 using 2022 data. Future projections indicate that the suburb of Parap will experience a population rise slightly below the national median for statistical areas, with a projected increase of 250 individuals by 2041 based on compiled SA2 data, representing a overall growth of 7.9% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Parap has experienced a very low level of building activity, with only a single approval recorded over a five-year period. This indicates that the locality has reached its spatial capacity, leaving almost no undeveloped land. Established residential zones of this type frequently experience consistent demand for existing housing stock because purchasers have virtually no opportunities to acquire newly built properties. Relative to Greater Darwin, property additions in Parap are extremely subdued, tracking 91.0% lower than the regional per capita norm. This shortage of newly constructed dwellings generally bolsters demand and valuations for established housing.
The volume of activity also tracks below the national benchmark, highlighting the mature state of the locality and pointing to possible zoning restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Parap
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 36 current infrastructure and development projects close to Parap, worth an estimated $4.38 billion. 13 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities and sports & recreation. 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, development projects, and town planning decisions are key drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified 2 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Notable projects include the Darwin Inner Suburbs Area Plan, Richardson Park Community Space, Elysium Green, and the Darwin City Stadium, with the details of the most significant developments listed below.
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
The Avenue Larrakeyah
Luxury residential apartment development comprising 54 premium one, two and three bedroom apartments with rooftop resident amenities in Larrakeyah, close to the Darwin CBD. Publicly available information indicates the project remains under construction, with apartment sales continuing.
Intersection Upgrade - Dick Ward Drive and Fitzer Drive
Road safety upgrade funded through the Australian Government Black Spot Program and delivered by City of Darwin. Works include reconstruction of the pedestrian refuge island, new traffic islands, separation of left and right turn lanes on Fitzer Drive, new road pavement, and relocation of a light pole to improve the right turn from Dick Ward Drive. Construction commenced on 11 May 2026 and is scheduled for completion by the end of July 2026, weather permitting.
Darwin Galleria (Former Coles Site Redevelopment)
A major revitalisation of the former Coles site into a premium mixed-use precinct in the Darwin CBD. The project includes a multi-level retail podium with a flagship supermarket, specialty retail tenancies, and alfresco dining spaces. The redevelopment aims to integrate seamlessly with the Smith Street Mall improvements while providing modern office space and potential hospitality facilities in the upper levels to drive city center foot traffic.
Mantra on the Esplanade Hotel Refurbishment & Apartment Addition
A major refurbishment and adaptive reuse project at the 88 The Esplanade site, involving the conversion of hotel rooms into private residential apartments and the refurbishment of remaining guest suites. The project includes upgrades to the penthouse suites and common areas, with active renovation works scheduled between November 2025 and April 2026.
Larrakia Cultural Centre
Major Indigenous cultural centre on the Darwin Waterfront celebrating Larrakia Country, language, culture and knowledge. The project includes exhibition galleries, performance and education spaces, retail, cultural experiences and landscaped public areas. Construction commenced in May 2024 following a ground turning ceremony, with Sunbuild appointed as the main contractor.
Northcrest - Berrimah Residential Estate
Residential stage within Northcrest, a Territory Government masterplanned estate in Berrimah, delivering 143 dwellings as part of the Northern Territory's largest residential subdivision. The broader Northcrest project provides house and land lots, affordable housing options, a childcare centre, parklands and other community facilities, and is developed by DCOH (formerly known as Halikos).
Civic and State Square Precinct Revitalisation
Revitalisation of the Civic and State Square Precinct in Darwin CBD to deliver shady parklands, public art, and connections across Parliament House, Supreme Court, and Government House. Completed milestones include the 450-bay underground car park, native gardens, Chan Lawns, and the Liberty Square redevelopment. Construction of the cornerstone 3-storey State Square Building (formerly intended as the NT Art Gallery) is tracking towards structural completion in mid-2026, with the Northern Territory Government executing an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process to determine its final activation and use.
Stuart Highway Road Safety Improvements - Stuart Park
Road safety upgrades along Stuart Highway in Stuart Park to separate turning traffic from through traffic and provide full protection for pedestrians and cyclists at signals. Concept designs indicate dedicated left turn lanes at Armidale Street, Eden Street, Charles Street and Westralia Street, with improved line marking and signage. The project is in the early design planning stage, with construction subject to funding following detailed design.
1,912 residents of Parap are employed, from a labour force of 1,963. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 73.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Parap possesses a highly qualified workforce with strong representation in critical service industries, an unemployment rate of only 2.6%, and stable job numbers over the previous year, according to aggregated regional statistics from AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 1,912 employed locals, with the unemployment rate tracking 0.9% lower than the 3.5% seen across Greater Darwin, while workforce participation aligned closely with the Greater Darwin rate of 72.7%. Census details show that a minor 5.4% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.
The principal sectors employing residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, alongside education & training. The locality exhibits a pronounced concentration in professional & technical services, where staffing levels are 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, construction jobs are less common, occupying only 6.7% of the workforce in Parap compared to 9.2% across Greater Darwin. Though local jobs exist, a comparison of the Census working population against resident counts suggests a significant portion of the community travels to other areas for work. According to AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from regional datasets, the 12 months leading to March 2026 saw local employment rise by 0.3% while the labour force expanded by 0.8%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Darwin recorded a 0.4% rise in employment, a 0.8% increase in the labour force, and a 0.3 percentage point lift in unemployment. Future demand patterns in Parap can be analyzed through national employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been correlated with local workforce data to project expansion trends. While overall national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expansion rates vary widely across different fields. Projecting these industry trends onto the local workforce mix suggests that employment in Parap will grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes that excludes local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Parap is $2,231 a week (about $116,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,281 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $70,759 a year against an average of $87,352. 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 AreaSearch aggregations of postcode tax data for the 2023 financial year, residents in the suburb of Parap recorded a median income of $70,759 and an average income of $87,352. These figures are exceptionally high on a national scale and compare to $66,956 and $77,199 across Greater Darwin. Accounting for Wage Price Index inflation of 9.41% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of $77,417 and an average of $95,572 as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Parap ranked highly, placing between the 79th and 94th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution figures indicate the largest bracket contains 37.0% of local residents (1,174 people) earning within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, matching regional trends where 36.7% fall into this bracket. Top earners represent a prominent demographic, with 33.6% earning over $3,000 per week, pointing to substantial spending capacity. Residential costs absorb 17.2% of earnings, yet strong wages preserve disposable income at the 77th percentile, and the SEIFA income metric ranks the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Parap had 1,122 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 31% detached houses and 59% apartments. 24% are owned with a mortgage, 63% rented and 13% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $415 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,232 a month, a total housing cost higher than 89% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 18.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
An analysis of residential structures from the latest Census shows that the suburb of Parap consists of 30.6% standalone houses and 69.4% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 63.5% houses and 36.5% alternative dwellings in the Darwin metro area. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Parap trail the metropolitan average at 13.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by people with a mortgage (23.7%) or tenants (63.1%). The median monthly home loan payment was higher than the Darwin metro average at $2,232, and the median weekly rent was recorded at $415, compared to metropolitan figures of $2,100 and $385.
Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Parap are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also higher than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Parap counted 1,122 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,264 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 23% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 60.3%, consisting of 26.2% couples raising children, 22.8% couples without children, and 9.9% single parents. The remaining 39.7% are non-family households, with single person households at 31.2% and group housing accounting for 8.5%. The median household occupancy of 2.3 individuals is below the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
43.8% of adults in Parap hold a university qualification, including 27.9% with a bachelor degree and 11.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 86% of areas nationally. A further 20.3% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 397 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,066 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
Qualifications in the suburb of Parap are substantially higher than regional and national averages, with 43.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 27.3% across NT and 30.4% throughout Australia. This educational profile positions the locality well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 27.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational and technical training is also common, with 31.5% of the population aged 15+ holding qualifications in these areas, consisting of 11.2% with advanced diplomas and 20.3% holding certificates.
Enrollment rates in education are high, with 31.1% of the population currently undertaking formal studies. Within this group, 9.5% are in primary school, 7.2% are attending secondary school, and 7.1% are enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Parap reaches 12 stops on 31 routes, timetabled for about 1,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport options include 12 stops operating within the suburb of Parap, consisting of bus services. These stops connect to 31 distinct routes, delivering a total of 1,930 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transport is high, with properties located an average of 185 meters from the nearest stop. The area is mostly residential, meaning many workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 85%, and 3% of residents commuting by bicycle. Household vehicle ownership stands at 1.2 cars per household, which is lower than the regional average.
A small proportion of residents, at 5.4%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions. Service frequency averages 275 trips per day across all local routes, which translates to roughly 160 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
76.9% of residents in Parap report no long-term health condition. 2.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 61.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
The suburb of Parap shows positive health characteristics based on AreaSearch analysis of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses, with low rates of common conditions in both younger and older demographics, and private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 61% of the population (1,943 people). This compare to 57.8% in Greater Darwin and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues reported locally were mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 6.5% and 5.6% of the population, while 76.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 77.1% across Greater Darwin.
Residents under the age of 65 experience better health profiles than the national average. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 12.6% of the population (400 people), which is higher than the 11.0% share in Greater Darwin. The health status of these older residents is particularly strong, ranking higher nationally than the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
34.2% of Parap residents were born overseas and 25.7% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (23.3%) and Australian (19.0%). 3.4% 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 the suburb of Parap is higher than in most local markets, with 25.7% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 34.2% born in another country. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 38.9% of the population. The most prominent statistical divergence is in the Other category, which accounts for 2.0% of the population, compared to 1.3% across Greater Darwin. Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are English at 23.3%, Australian at 19.0%, and Other at 13.3%. Some specific backgrounds show distinct representation patterns, with Filipino residents representing 2.7% of the population in the suburb of Parap (compared to 3.8% across the region), Sri Lankan residents at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%), and German residents at 4.6% (compared to 3.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Parap is 36. 32.2% 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
The median age of 36 in the suburb of Parap is higher than the Greater Darwin median of 34 but lower than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the wider Darwin region, there is a higher proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (20.8%) but fewer children aged 5 - 14 (10.1%). The concentration of young adults aged 25 - 34 is higher than the national figure of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 9.3% to 11.4%, and the 75 to 84 bracket rose from 2.2% to 3.9%.
In contrast, the 5 to 14 age group fell from 11.9% to 10.1%, and the 45 to 54 bracket decreased from 12.7% to 11.2%. Projections for 2041 show shifting demographics, with the 45 to 54 bracket expected to expand by 25%, adding 90 residents to total 446, while the 5 to 14 age group is projected to decrease by 16 individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Parap
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 2 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,819 at the 2021 Census → 3,175 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 May 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 (SAL70219). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.